cultivating and enjoying the simple pleasures of faith, family and home

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

An Evening in Avonlea!

David was out of town this past weekend, and it seemed to me the perfect opportunity to have a few ladies over for a Girls' Night! I put the little ladies to bed early and went to Avonlea for the evening! This was the sight that greeted guests at the front door.

I was inspired by the ideas I found here to make these picnic boxes out of drive through drink containers (thank you, Sonic)! Each guest received her own box of goodies for the evening.

I took these plain boxes and covered them with scrapbook paper. I also tied a piece of twine around the base and attached the "picnic" label.

Inside, I packed the chicken salad in a small canning jar with piece of the same paper used as a liner for the lid. I tied raffia around it and a tag that said, "chicken salad." The scone was wrapped in waxed paper and the apple chips in a clear cellophane bag. The dessert was placed in an old jello mold or small silver basket - both found inexpensively at thrift stores or yard sales. Our berry soda was re-wrapped with a label to make it into "Raspberry Cordial" and I promised my guests it would not make them tipsy! While we ate, we watched Anne of Green Gables!

I had placed this in the bathroom for ambiance ~ an old mini muffin tin filled with tea lights, dried lavender and perfume bottles with ivy in them. I propped this up on a wire basket that I usually use to collect dirty clothes.

In the room where we were watching the movie, I created this centerpiece from a hydrangea bloom that was lingering on the plant. I cut off just the individual flowers and floated them in water (idea from Country Home last year) and put a votive in a flower pot in the middle. I put all of this on a cake plate to give it height.

I had put a special sticker on the back of one "picnic" tag which was for the door prize - it was on a box that I delivered to someone who wasn't able to attend. So, I took her the prize too! She won a plate chalkboard that I had used in the welcome on the porch. I got the plate for 0.50 at a yard sale and painted it with chalkboard paint!

Now, as a way of extending this fun to all of you - I have another chalkboard plate to give away! If you'd like to be entered in the drawing, please leave a comment and I'll announce the winner in a couple of days!Here are the recipes for all of the above goodies:

Place chicken breasts in a 3 quart pot and cover with cold water. Add tea leaves and soy sauce. Poach chicken for 30 minutes. When chicken is cooled, chop and add to diced apple and spices. Add mayonnaise and refrigerate to blend flavors.

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in 2/3 c. cream. Add the Cheddar and chives and use your hands to combine. Knead dough until it comes together. Pat into a 1-inch thick disk. Transfer to a baking sheet. Slice into 8 wedges and brush with remaining cream. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Fill a bowl with ice water and lemon juice. Slice the apple very thin and let soak in water for five minutes. Place apple slices on parchment lined sheet and sprinkle with sugar. Bake until crisp and dry - about 90 minutes. Cool and serve. (It took mine more than double this time to be dry!)

How lovely -- I wish I could have been there! Everything looks beautiful -- I hope your guests enjoyed the evening as much as you enjoyed preparing for it. The chalkboard plate turned out awesome, the centerpiece was beautiful, and the picnic holders are darling. :)

wow ! You are absolutely the MOST creative person I have ever met!I would love to live near you and enjoy stuff like this!I love Anne series! I got my 9 year old daughter hooked last weekend. Im going to surprise her with something like this. THANKYOU for the neat ideas! Please put my name in the drawing!Christina

What a wonderful idea! Make sure to enjoy Road To Avonlea the Canadian TV Series as well. It is based off of "The Story Girl" by Lucy Maud Montgomery but there are alot of changes Kevin Sullivan made. But trust me once you figure out who is who and what there relationship is to one another it is such a great series.

I have to tell you, I'm a long time lurker and first time poster. Your site has been such an inspiration to me in getting my house back on track. One day, I aspire to the household you apparently maintain. :)

Oh my gosh, what a fun evening you planned! I'm a big fan of Avalon and would have died to be invited to such a fun theme night...and as always, amazingly cute ideas!!! Might just have to borrow a few :)

I am in complete awe of you! You are just amazing! Thank you for all of these wonderful ideas! I am going to add this to my notebook entry tomorrow (you are making a regular appearance on there with all your great ideas!)

I also want to thank you for the adorable stamp set and the sweet note you sent in your last drawing. That meant so much to me and it was so nice to get a special treat like that! You are a wonderful friend!

is the house next to you for sale? I'm thinking Seattle isn't nearly as wonderful as being your neighbor would be! WOW! I cannot believe you did all of these wonderful things for your friends! God sure gave you the gift of encouragement and hospitality!

Boy do I wish that I lived near you - you have such wonderful ideas to make any day special. Thanks so much for the look into your life. I would love to win the chalkboard plate - it would remind me of you always. Thanks

What a wonderful evening you planned for the ladies this weekend. I love the ideas that you offer and am putting some to use around my own home. I do hope that everyone enjoyed the evening and that you had a wonderful time.

I am a new reader. I can't even remember how I found your blog but I am enjoying it very much. Thanks for taking the time to share with us how you put together such a lovely event for your special friends. I am thinking it would be such a fun thing to do, although am due for our 11th baby in October and don't know if I am ready to jump in yet. I should just let my 13 yo daughter put together something like that. Thanks for the inspiration. I am printing it out and we'll see what comes of it.

What a sweet thing to do for your friends! Everything looked so lovely and feminine-special. I am a new reader ,I would also like to enter to win your creative idea of a plate!tammy at teapitts@bellsouth.net Thanks!

You are the most creative person!! I am going to have my own little party with my daughter, who is away at college,when she comes for a visit!! We love anything Anne!! How funny that you were showing a craft with chalkboard paint, as I just came across a can of it when we cleaned out our garage. I wasn't sure what to do with it - and here was your idea, how wonderful! I will be making some chalkboard plates for gifts. Of course, I would be thrilled if you would enter me in your drawing.

The plate is an excellent idea! Have you ever heard of chalkcloth? I thought you'd made it out of that so I had to check it out! The plate is such a cute favor. Everyone is going to want one of these! Wouldn't they make great Chrismas gifts too?!?

I just discovered your website a few days ago. I love it! You are so super creative. Thanks for sharing your talents with all of us. I'm thinking of doing the chalkbord theme for my daughter's 5th birthday party. such a cute idea!!

I don't know if I'm to late for this or not, but I would love to have my name entered.I just found your blog this morning,( I don't remember how- it was about 5:30!)and I love it! I've already have been nosing around your archives, and am excited for a quiet morning to poke some more.If I am to late, no big deal, just thought a I'd give it a go!

Monica, Homespun Heart is simply the best!! :-) It is at the tippy top of the list of blogs I visit. I love your ideas, as well as your gentle spirit. Remember your snowman party ideas from last year? I have those in the works right now for a Bday party for my little girl in winter. (getting a head start because we are expecting also- soon!) So THANK YOU for always sharing! I would love to be entered in the drawing for the plate. Your evening in Avonlea sounds delightful... Thank you!

Aren't Girl's Nights Out the best fun??!! What a fantastic idea! I am tucking this one away for use later...And I am thankful to Like Merchant Ships for directing me here! What a great find! :)Can't wait to hear if I win the plate !! ;)

I just love the little movie party you had for your friends. The picnic boxes were so creative and I must make the cookie cups with clotted cream. Thanks for sharing all of your recipes. happy holidays, Terri